Gildean smiled softly at the creature, feeling a kind of kinship with this desperate being.

"I'm sorry, beloved. This is a mission we're on alone. You should try and find a way-"

Suddenly, jaws clamped around Gildean's neck and the creature pulled.

"HEY! Let them go", Niruk yelled, forcing himself between Ava and Gildean. His teeth clinked together as he feigned biting the creature, but is didn't even flinch.

"Augh- please-" Gildean coughed, trying to twist his neck to the side. The creature clamped down even harder, and for a moment it felt like it was about to shake its head. Like a wolf or a dog.

Instead, there was a loud sound and a sharp pain in Gildean's neck and Niruk headbutted the skull. The skull cracked, the creature backing away with a woeful wail.

"Oh dear! Oh no!" Touko was saying, trotting around Gildean to herd him farther from the grate. With shakey legs Gildean dragged away and lied down.

He could see Avalash'em staring at them from the other side of the hallway, saying nothing. They turned away so they didn't need to look at their mentor.